Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the attack on Afghan Parliament, terming it as a “despicable and cowardly act” and asserted that India stands shoulder to shoulder with people of that country in this hour.

“The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable & cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy,” Modi tweeted.

The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable & cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy.

Taliban militants attacked the Afghan Parliament this morning, with gunfire and explosions rocking the building, sending lawmakers running for cover in chaotic scenes relayed live on television.

The insurgents tried to storm the complex after triggering a car bomb but were repelled and have taken position in a partially-constructed building nearby, officials said of the ongoing attack.

All Members of Parliament were safely evacuated after the attack, which came as the Afghan president’s nominee for the crucial post of defence minister was to be introduced in Parliament.

A group of suicide attackers last tried to storm the Parliament in 2012 as they launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the capital, including several diplomatic enclaves.

“Several mujahideen have entered the parliament building, heavy fighting is on-going,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on Twitter. “The attack happened at a time when the defence minister was being introduced.”

Police denied that Taliban fighters had breached the high-security complex.